Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson and Montez Sweat are named Pro Bowlers for the 1st time

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat were named Pro Bowlers for the first time Wednesday.

Johnson’s selection to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, which will be held in Orlando, Fla., in early February, comes amid a career season for the fourth-year Bears player. Johnson has four interceptions, including a pick-six, 10 passes defended, a forced fumble and 36 tackles in 14 games.

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He has allowed a career-low 50.9 passer rating by opposing quarterbacks, according to Pro Football Reference.

“It is special that God has blessed me with the opportunity and favor to be selected for the Pro Bowl,” Johnson said in a statement released by the Bears. “I’m thankful for all of those who have played a role in my success because when I win, we all win.”

Johnson has been open about aiming to be an All-Pro in this contract season, after which the Bears must try to either work out an extension, use the franchise or transition tag, or let Johnson walk into free agency. But he’ll start with the Pro Bowl, his first postseason honor.

Cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke said last month he was thrilled to see Johnson produce the way he has in a contract year.

“He’s really smart. And smart people figure things out,” Hoke said. “He has learned and understands the game of football very, very well. … He knows the route combinations. He understands what the quarterback can and can’t do.

“He watches massive amounts of tape and he does a really good job. At the end of the day, he’s obviously gifted athletically. But he is really smart.”

Sweat also earned his first selection while splitting his 2023 season between the Washington Commanders and the Bears.

The fifth-year defensive end, whom the Bears acquired from the Commanders on Oct. 31 in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, has a career-high 12 1/2 sacks this year. He also has 25 quarterback hits, four passes defended, three forced fumbles, 54 tackles and 13 tackles for a loss in 16 games between both teams.

The Bears have raved about the “Tez Effect” — the way Sweat has made his defensive teammates better since arriving in Chicago. According to the Bears, the defense is tied for second in takeaways with 18 and is fifth with 18 points allowed per game since Sweat arrived. The Bears also had 19 sacks in that span.

“Tez has just been fantastic with his approach since he’s been here. He’s got great energy. He’s a great teammate,” coach Matt Eberflus said last month. “It’s an uptick (in production) because of a great pass rusher. That’s what he is. They have to lean more attention to him. … He definitely helps others. It’s been an uptick in a lot of ways from the turnovers, and it enabled us to play more coverage and not pressure as much on those situational downs and get home with four.”

Pro Bowl decisions are made up of fan, coach and player voting. Johnson and Sweat are the first Bears players to be selected to the Pro Bowl since defensive end Robert Quinn and return specialist Jakeem Grant in 2021.

Multiple Bears players made it into the top five in the fan voting portion of the selection process, including Johnson, Sweat, safety Jaquan Brisker, kicker Cairo Santos, linebacker T.J. Edwards and guard Teven Jenkins.

Among the former Bears players to make the Pro Bowl this year are Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith.

The NFL moved from the traditional Pro Bowl to the Pro Bowl Games last year. The new version features a series of AFC versus NFC matchups, including skills competitions and a flag football game.